By Matthew Agius
Garth Tander is the new V8 Supercar Drivers' Champion after a nail biting finish to the Dunlop Grand Finale at Phillip Island saw him and title rival Jamie Whincup separated by just two points.
A pressure concluding race to this year's series saw Jamie Whincup come within one place of defeating Tander, but was unable to reel in a slowing eventual race winner, Todd Kelly.
It was the closest ever championship finish for the V8 Supercar brand, which also saw Tander's Toll HSV Dealer Team claim the Teams' title.
The race started with Todd Kelly leading the field through the first sequence of turns, having blasted into an early lead from the second slot on the grid.
He led Tander, Whincup, Lowndes and Skaife early, before the first round of compulsory pitstops on lap six.
Despite an uneventful series of opening laps, the pit stops changed the track order completely, and added spice to the year's concluding race.
Jamie Whincup and Rick Kelly each pitted on lap six, with a fast stop from Team Vodafone putting their championship aspirant out in a strong position.
Race leader Todd Kelly made his tyre change on lap eight, but a slower stop from him saw Whincup gain ground on the Holden Racing Team Commodore.
Lowndes stopped on lap nine and exited right behind his team mate, but when Garth Tander was forced to stop one lap later than expected, the Toll HSV Dealer Team driver exited behind the two Vodafone Falcons.
As Todd Kelly pulled away, a brilliant battle unfurled between the two Vodafone drivers and the Toll HSV machine – with Tander passing Lowndes at turn one during his out lap.
